Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) are non-overlapping, statistical geographic areas that partition each state or equivalent entity into geographic areas containing no fewer than 100,000 people each. They cover the entirety of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The Census Bureau defines PUMAs for the tabulation and dissemination of decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data. Additionally, the ACS and Puerto Rico Community Survey use them to disseminate their respective period estimates.

The delineation of new PUMAs occurs after the completion of the decennial census as part of a program involving the State Data Centers (SDCs). Decennial census population counts and updated census tracts are critical inputs into the delineation process.

2020 Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA) Program

Information regarding the 2020 PUMA program.

State Data Center (SDC) Program

The State Data Center (SDC) Program was created to make data available locally to the public.

Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) Data

Public-Use Microdata Samples (PUMS)

Here are files that contain records for a sample of housing units with information on the characteristics of each unit and each person in it.

PUMS Data

Access ACS Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site and through data.census.gov.

Reference Information

PUMA Names Files

2020

2020 PUMA Names File [<1.0 MB]

2020 National PUMA Names File Format and Record Layout [<1.0 MB]

2010

2010 PUMA Names File [<1.0 MB]

2010 National PUMA Names File Format and Record Layout [<1.0 MB]

PUMA Equivalency Files

Geographic equivalency files show the relationship between the 2010 PUMAs and counties, governmental minor civil divisions (MCDs), places, and census tracts.

2010

Description of 2010 PUMA Equivalency File Summary Levels [<1.0 MB]

2010 PUMA Equivalency File Format and Record Layout [<1.0 MB]

Download 2010 PUMA Equivalency Files from our FTP Site

Census Tract to PUMA Relationship Files

Relationship files identify the census tracts that are contained within a PUMA. Census tracts completely nest within PUMA boundaries and serve as the building block of PUMA geography.

2020 Census Tract to 2020 PUMA Relationship File

2010 Census Tract to 2010 PUMA Relationship File

PUMA Reference Maps

2020 Census Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) Reference Maps

2020

Here are the 2020 Census Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) reference maps.

2010 Census Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) Reference Maps

2010

Here are the 2010 Census Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA) reference maps.

Where Can I Find More Information?

Find information on the history of PUMAs as well as tools to compare PUMAs or locate geographic entities found within PUMAs from the links below.

History of PUMAs [<1.0 MB]

MABLE/Geocorr Geographic Correspondence Engine

TIGERweb

After opening TIGERweb, select the second tab, “TIGERweb Applications”, along the top of the window then select either the “TIGERweb” or the “TIGERweb Decennial” applications along the left side of the window.

Select the TIGERweb option to view the 2020 PUMAs in either the “Current” or “Census 2020” vintages or
Select the TIGERweb Decennial option to view the 2020 PUMAs, 2010 PUMAs, or 2000 PUMAs in either “Census 2020”, “Census 2010”, or “Census 2000” vintages. The Compare tool is available to visually compare two vintages of data.

Refer to the TIGERweb User Guide for detailed instructions on using the application.